Spirited Nunsense Continues To Be Habit-forming

September 27, 2003|BY CANDICE RUSSELL SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

The gaggle of nuns hoofing, humming and joking their way through Nunsense dispels every stereotypical notion of these Catholic brides of Christ as humorlessly uptight. Instead, this quintet from the fictional order of the Little Sisters of Hoboken is wacky, hip and eager to please. Their sometimes hilarious antics in the production at Fort Lauderdale's Broadway Theatre may not win papal approval, but they had a recent matinee audience in frequent stitches.

Set in the school auditorium of Mount Saint Helen's School, this upbeat musical comedy reveals unexpectedly colorful characters in stark black-and-white habits. Leader of the pack is Sister Mary Regina, superbly played by Sheila Allen. As the Irish-born Mother Superior, the actress has a dithering Dame Edna quality. She also excels in the show's funniest bit, involving the giddy aftermath of sniffing a bottle of something potent confiscated from a student.

As Sister Mary Amnesia, woefully forgetful even of her own name, Lori Nuti is wide-eyed innocence personified. She makes the perfect butt of the other sisters' barbs. Nuti is outstanding, whether singing in a lovely soprano or provoking laughter as a ventriloquist with an outspoken nun dummy.

Sharyn Bingham brings authority, confidence and charm to Sister Mary Hubert, second in command at this kooky nunnery, which is putting on a benefit show in order to give a proper burial to the four dead sisters chilling in the freezer (blame the lethal vichyssoise). Rounding out the cast are Michelle Martinez as the sweetly nave Sister Mary Leo and her personality opposite, Cinda Vivanco as the hard-bitten understudy Sister Robert Anne.

Inspired by Dan Goggin's line of greeting cards, Nunsense features Goggin's book, music and lyrics. With ditties such as Nunsense Is Habit-Forming and Holier Than Thou, the show speeds along courtesy of director-choreographer Kimberly Dawn Smith.

Spirited and silly, the show is also briefly interactive, with audience members answering questions from a nun. Nunsense may not leave you humming its tunes, but from start to finish it delights.